Mental Health Registered Nurse

Denton County MHMR Center employees are to be committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Denton County MHMR Center defines diversity broadly to include race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, age, and other groups.

Denton County MHMR Center employees are to strive to maintain a trauma sensitive workplace, to embrace trauma sensitive and informed practices, and to foster a supportive and welcoming environment of care.

General Description

Under the direction of the Administrator of Nursing Services, Mental Health RN Team Lead, and within federal, state and local guidelines performs complex (journey level) nursing work.  Work involves providing care to clients in the Mental Health clinics using effective assessment skills while maintaining ethical standards of nursing and client confidentiality at all times. Delivers care to individuals utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation; and effectively interacts with individuals and other health care team members while maintaining standards of professional nursing.  May train others.

Promotes the physical and Mental Health of individuals by applying the nursing processes. This is done as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and has the goal of assisting individuals to assume responsibility of their own health. The nurse coordinates and monitors medical services, including psychiatric and medication services, in accord with the requirements of regulatory agencies and in response to the individual's needs. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

A high school diploma or equivalent and graduation from an accredited Nursing School required.  Must have and maintain a current RN license with the Board of Nurse Examiners in the State of Texas. Three (3) years previous nursing experience and three (3) years prior experience working with persons with major mental illness preferred. Experience working on an interdisciplinary team preferred.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have and maintain a current RN license in good standing with the state of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.

• Must have valid Texas driver's license, proof of auto liability insurance, and maintain an acceptable driving record as defined by the Center's insurance carrier requirements.
• All job specific training must be completed within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to perform the techniques of Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB).
• Must be able to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Ability to be mobile within the community to provide direct nursing services if needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnosis and procedures; of accepted medical treatment programs; and of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures. Knowledge and background in intellectual developmental disability services. Knowledge of serious and persistent mental disorders, personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence syndromes encompassed in the DSM-IV. Knowledge of common psychoactive medications used to treat neurobiological diseases of the brain.

  Skills in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.

  Ability to make decisions based on education preparation and or nursing/clinical experience which reflect consistency with Agency philosophy, policies and procedures and standards of care, to provide individual care, to prepare and maintain records, to explain public health laws, to recognize patterns of medically necessary treatment, to communicate effectively, to train others, to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondences, and memos, to write effective case management notes, to effectively present information in one-on-one and in small group situations.

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties

  Provides prompt telephonic crisis services by telephonic assessment, crisis intervention services, and crisis follow-up and relapse prevention services for individuals in the community, in outpatient services, the psychiatric medication clinic and in alternate care settings as assigned.

  Provide skills training to clients and counsels clients on specific health goals.

  Participates through a collaborative effort in developing and implementing a comprehensive crisis plan that provides the most effective and least restrictive available treatment. This plan is based on the provisional psychiatric diagnosis and will incorporate all requirements listed in the protocol ad or procedure related to crisis services including reassessment needs adjustment to individual's response, coordination, resolution of crisis and transference to appropriate package.

  Documents all services provided to a client or on behalf of a client in a progress note to be entered in the client's medical record chart. Each service delivered will be documented according to agency and state guidelines to include any clinically significant information and in the case of a crisis and/or emergency.

  Provides symptom management and education with the focus of resolving current medical/mental situation while assisting the individual to be an active participant in their treatment.

  Coordinates, monitors, and/or participates in quality assurance programs.

  Monitors and reviews case management service plans. Refers per protocol to the most effective and least restrictive approach to the behavioral health emergency.

  Follows protocol and procedure for referring individuals in need of emergency services.

  Participate in RN on-call after hour's rotation.

  As Nurse on Call will provide direct nursing services and/or telephonic services in the individuals living environment, psychiatric clinic or alternate care setting, and for individuals being served in the Crisis Residential Unit. Provides a collaborative assessment by interviewing the client.

  Must be able to work at DOPC, LOPC, COPC, or MOPC.